Her big eyes were filled with confusion and hope, the kind only a child can carry without knowing it hurts.
“I like Auntie Hanabi,” she said softly. “She’s nice to Daddy. If Daddy loves her… maybe it’s okay, Mommy. Maybe she can be my mommy too.”
That was it.
That was the moment I shattered.
Everything around me went out of focus.
Hanabi’s little smile, like she’d finally won something she’d been waiting for. Gusion’s face, calm and empty, like this was just another meeting he needed to get through. My parents standing there saying nothing, letting it happen. And Nana… my baby… looking up at me with that hopeful smile, not understanding that my heart was breaking right in front of her.
I knew if I stayed one more second, I would fall apart. Or scream. Or do something I couldn’t take back.
So I turned around.
I grabbed Nana’s hand, tight, like she was the only solid thing left in the world.
“Miya!” Gusion called after me. “Where are you going now?”
I didn’t answer.
I just walked.
My legs felt weak, like they might give out any second, but I kept moving. Nana’s small hand was warm in mine. She kept looking back, confused.
I didn’t stop.
...
The house felt dead when we got back.